Curtain-stretcher



w. R. HAGER. CURTAIN STRETCHER.

L l 8 m H, E m H. w

........ 1 m R 5 2 n Q. M. 3 mw mm M 6 w? W. R. HAGER.

CURTAIN STRETCHER.

APPLICATIONHLEDSEPTJZ,1919.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

2 SHEET SHEET 2.

NORRIS PETERS. INC. LITHO WASHINGTON D t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. HAGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 TROY LAUNDRY MACHIN-ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF NEW'YORK. 4

ERY CO., LTD, OF CHICAGO,

CURTAIN-STRETCH.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Pat t d Mar 8 1921 Application filedSeptember 12, 1919. Serial No. 323,285.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, lVrLLrAM R. Haenn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Stretchers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a frame, the members of which are adapted toreceive and hold the edges of a curtain or other like fabric, and madeadjustable in order that the fabric may be put under tension and causedto dry straight and at substantially the dimensions which'it is requiredto have in serving the uses for which it is intended.

One objectof theinvention is to provide a frame having a holding bar anda stretching bar, and means whereby the holding bar may be given eitherof two holding positions, whereby the frame may be given either a wideor a narrow initial width in order to adapt it for use in stretchingwide or narrow pieces of fabric, a collateral obj ect being to provide ascale for each initial adjustment so that the width to which thework-piece is stretched may be readily read ofi during the, operation ofstretching from either initial adjustment; these scales being preferablyarranged so that the one not in use is retired from view, at least tothe extent of leaving only the other scale associated with the bar thatmoves in developing the stretching.

Another object of the invention is to provide the shiftable holding barand the adjustable stretching bar with automatic locking devices thathold them in the positions to which they are moved, and combining withthe stretching bar'and its said holding means, controlling connectionswhich insure equal movement in the opposite ends of the stretching barand, therefore, maintenance of parallelism before the stretching bar andthe holding bar; the locking means for the bars being preferably in theform of a trav' eler fitted snugly upon the running rod and travelingfreely thereon so long as it maintains a position perpendicular thereto,but automatically biting into or gripping upon the rod under any slightangular isplacement thereon such as is imparted by the tension of thegoods being stretched, and which it is intended to resist.

The invention will be fully understood upon reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which--- V Figure 1 is a plan view of acurtain stretching and drying apparatus to which the several features ofthe present invention are applied.

F1g. 2 is a side elevationof the same with a portion of the dryingjboxand the frame 1n section.

F1gs. 8 and a are detail views on an enlarged scale showing one form ofshifting scale in the two different positions which it assumes, and Fig.i is a sectional view of the same on a still larger scale.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of another form of scale device, and Fig.6 is a sectional view of the same on an enlarged scale.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of the clutch; and ,Fig. 9 is a detailview of the material with which the holding and stretching bars arefaced to adapt them to engage the fabric. I

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents a dryin box, B thecarryin framesupported tdierein on trunnions so as to be reversible therein, and D,E, F, G, H, and

I represent the members of the curtain stretching, frame, which areduplicated on opposite sides of the sheet metal diaphragm Z, orhorizontal plane of the trunnions C in the frame B, so thatonestretching frame with the fabric stretched thereon may, by rotatingthe frame B, be presented downwardly to the hot air in the drying boXAwhile the other frame is presented upwardly for removal of a previouslydried fabric and the application of another thereon.

The bar D is a fixed bar and is used for anchoring one end of the fabricwhile it is being stretched lengthwise. The rods E, E are of such formthat one or both of them may be threaded through the fabric in order tohold the same while permitting it to stretch sidewise; said rods E, Ebeing held at any adjustment to which they may be moved by insertingtheir ends in the sockets e on the opposite longitudinal sides of theframe B, springs e at one end of each rod being provided for holding thebars against longitudinal displacement while permitting therln to bereadily displaced and shifted 'at wil The bar F constitutes the holdingbar or goods;

is adapted to cooperate with the stretching and two separate scalesexposed face of stationary anchorage for one side of the fabric, and barI is the adjustable bar for stretching the fabric sidewise. As thus fardescribed, the elements which enter into the present invention mayfollow known constructions. I

It frequently happens that fabrics to be stretched and dried, forinstance, curtains or the like, are 'too narrow to be convenientlymanipulated by a frame constructed primarily for handling wideworkpieces, and accordingly one of the bars, for instance the bar F, ismade adjustable laterally to give it different holding positions so thatthe frame can be presented with an initial width that will hold thework-piece within reach of the stretching bar. But such shifting of theanchoring bar F renders useless the scale in connection with which thebars are used. The present invention overcomes this difi'- cultv ofthebar F, namely, that in which it is suitable for stretching wide work,and that" which adapts it for use on narrow work; are employed, one ofwhich has reference to its initial position selected'for wide worlnandthe other for the initial position selected for narrow, means being alsoprovided for retiring the scale, or the part thereof which is notappropriate to the work being done at that particular Thus, theshiftable anchoring bar F is mounted upon a pair of slide tongues Gfitted in channel-beams H so that the anchormg bar F may assume eitherthe position shown in full lines shownin dotted lines therein, thetongues.

in Fig. 1, or the position being preferably of a length that will causethem to abut against the opposite side of the frame when the anchoringbar F is in its narrow work position, and so sustain the anchoring baragainst the tension of the In either of these'positions bar F bar I toput proper tension upon the goods and draw them to the lateral dimensionrequired before subjecting them to the hot air or other dryinginfluence.

In order to determine the distance to which the stretching bar I isdrawn away from the bar F, and therefore the width that is to bedeveloped in the goods when dried, a scale K is provided on someconvenient transverse part, preferably upon the 7 one of the confiningwalls of thechannel-beam H, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4l-,and this scale,expressed in inches or other units of measurement, is definitely relatedto the more remote anchoring position of the bar F. In order that theadjustment of the stretching bar I may be similarly read off when theanchoring bar F assumes the dotted line position, another scale K may beprovided, for instance, on the exposed face of the other confining wallof the chan- 7 length by the pin 0 by providing for two definitepositions.

nel member H, and this scale will be related to the shifted position ofthe bar F. Then, in order to retire from view the particular scale notin use, a cover plate L of a width sufficient to cover the channel-beamH, excepting the exposed face of one of its confining walls, will beheld by strap L upon the channel-beam H, in a manner to slide laterallythereon, and provided with a slot that receives a pin 0 in the slidingtongue G, and which is constructed with such inclination that thetraverse of its will shift the cover plate L from side to side. Thus,when the anchoring bar F is withdrawn to tion of Fig. 1, the scale Kwill be exposed to view; and when the bar F is reversed to the dottedline position of Fig. 1 the scale K will be exposed to view.

If preferred, the scales as disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6, according towhich scale K employed for the narrow work anchoring be made toconstitute part of the scale em ployed in the wide work portion of bar Fby connecting bar F to the outer member H, and having an additionalscale'K on the inner member G of a transverse telescoping structure,member G being connected to the opposite side of the frame B. Withdrawalof bar F to its wide work position automatically exposes the scale K(see Fig. 6); while adjustment of bar F to the position of Fig. 5,corresponding to the dotted. line position of Fig. 1, would retire thescale K from view.

the full line posi-v may be arranged position of the bar F, may

In order to secure the fabric throughout" a relatively wide'marginalportion and upon several anchoring and stretching bars are faced with apins P. These are preferably deflected oppositely to the directlon oftension developed in the fabric, so that the fabric may be readily drawnover them to establish initial tension, and when pressed down upon themand released, will be automatically held thereon. serving with especialadvantage for this purpose is card clothing, carding wool or'otherfibrous material.

relatively wide group of small A material readily obtainable and such asis used in To enforce equal movement in opposite ends of the stretchingbar I, it is provided with bearings Q, Q, through which it slides onparallel rods Q, Q, and connected on one side of its middle point, forinstance, at point R, with a tape S traveling over sheaves T, and on theother side of its middle point, as, for instance, atpoint R, with Straveling over sheaves T, and also over the sheaves T and presenting aportion of its length parallel with that tape S which lies opposite thetachment R on the connection point of at the stretching bar I; so thatof the two tapes, as at the a tape 7 portion of the direction, andtherefore maintain equal distance of the two ends of bar I from the barF.

In order to maintain bar I in any position to which it is adjusted,

it is provided with a clutch W slidable upon and having a pair of jaws Wspread apart by springs W and normally gripping transverse .rod X, butadapted to be released by the abutments W of handle IV; the arrangementbeing such that so long as handle W is left free, the clutch W will holdthe bar I against movement; but by pushing the handle W in the directionin which it is desired to move the stretching bar, the clutch W will bereleased and caused to slide freely upon the rod X.

Slide shoes Y upon the ends of the bars F and I sustain said endsagainst depression. These slide shoes may travel upon the metaldiaphragm Z which lies in zontal plane of the carrying frame B.

I claim:

1. In a curtain stretcher, a holding bar, and an adjustable stretchingbar; the holding bar having two permanently fixed abutments betweenwhich the holding bar may slide in taking up either of two holdingpositions whereby it is work and narrow work; said stretching bar beingprovided with two measuring scales related, respectively, to the twoholding positions of the holding bar.

2. In a curtain stretcher, a holding bar, and an adjustable stretchingbar; the holding bar having two permanently fixed abutments slide intaking up either of two holding positions whereby it is adapted for widework and narrow work; said stretching bar being also provided withmeasuring scales related, respectively, to the two holding positions ofthe holding bar, means being provided for retiring one of said scaleswhen the holding bar is in position inappropriate thereto.

3. In a curtain stretcher, a holding bar, and an adjustable stretchingbar; the holding bar having two permanently fixed abutments betweenwhich the holding bar may slide in taking up either of two holdingpositions whereby it is adapted for wide work and narrow work; saidstretching bar being also provided with measuring scales re lated,respectively, to the two holding positions of the holding bar; meansbeing provided for retiring one of said scales when the holding bar isin position inappropriate thereto; said last-named means comprising asliding cover member having connections through which it is actuated bythe shifting of the holding bar.

4. In a curtain stretcher, a holding bar, and an adjustable stretchingbar; the holdthe medial horiadapted r'or wide between which the holdingbar may holding positions,

ing bar having two permanently fixed abutments between which the holdingbar may slide in taking up either of two holding positions whereby it isadapted for wide work and narrow work; said stretching bar being alsoprovided with measuring scales related, respectively, to the two holdingpositions of the holding-bar; means'bcing provided for retiring one ofsaid scales when the holding bar is in position inappropriate thereto;said scales being arranged in parallel positions; and said last-namedmeans comprising a laterally sliding cover having connections throughwhich it moves to obscure each scale as the holding bar moves to theposition inappropriate to such scale. 1 5. In a curtain stretcher, thecombination of a'holding bar adapted to assume a plurality of holdingpositions, a stretching bar adapted to cooperate with the holding barwhen the'latter is in any one of its sev eral holding positions,measuring scales appropriate to the several holding positions of theholding bar and adapted to indicate the spacing of the bars withreference to the respective holding positions of the holding bar, asliding member moving with the holding bar as the latter changes itsposition, and an obscuring shield coacting with said sliding member toexpose or obscure a scale as the holding bar moves to or retires from aholding position appropriate thereto.

6. In a curtain stretcher, the combination of a holding bar adapted toassume a plurality of holding positions, a stretching bar adapted tocooperate with the holding bar when the latter is in any one of itsseveral measuring scales appropriate to the several holding positions ofthe holding bar and adapted to indicate the spacing of the bars withreference to the respective holding positions of the holding bar, asliding member moving with the holding bar as the latter changes itsposition, and

an obscuring shield coacting with said sliding member to expose orobscure a scale as the holding bar moves to or retires from a holdingposition appropriate thereto; said shield having a movement transverseto the movement of the sliding member, and having slot and pinconnection with said member whereby it receives movement therefrom. 7 Ina curtain stretcher, the combination of holding and stretching bars, ofwhich the holding bar has a plurality of holding positions which adaptit for relatively wide and narrow work, a slide carried by said holdingbar, a channel guide in which said slide works and along which thestretching bar is adjusted, independent scales arranged along therespective walls of the channel guideand indicating respectively thespacing of the bars relative to the different holding positions of theholding bar, a shield sliding I positions.

18. In a curtain stretcher, holding means, a

pressureFin the direction stretching bar coacting therewith to stretchthe work between them, means for holding the stretchingbar to itsadjustment comprising a rod over which the stretching bar travels, andan automatically engaging clutch carried by the stretching bar adaptedto grip said rod.

In a curtain stretcher, holding means, a stretching bar coactingtherewith to stretch the work between them, means for holding thestretching bar to its adjustment comprising a rod over. which thestretching bar travels, and an. automatically engaging clutch, carriedby the stretchingbar'adapted to grip said rod; said clutch havingacontrolling, handle which releases the clutch by g of movement to beimparted to the bar. r

10. In a curtain stretcher, the combination of holding means, astretching bar, and means for enforcing uniform movement throughout thelength of the stretching bar comprising traveling belts connected withthe stretching bar at two spaced points thereon, and having aninterconnection one with the other which insures identical movement ofthe parts thereof at their points of connection with the bar.

- 11. In a curtain stretcher, the combination of holding means, anadjustable stretching bar,.an endless belt guided for travel through theportion of its length running with the stretching bar and securedthereto to control the movement of the bar, and a second endless belthaving one portion of its length running with the stretching bar andattached thereto at a point remote from the point of attachment of thebelt first named and having another portion of its length attached toand driven by the portion of the belt first the bar. j v i r 12. In acurtain stretcher, holding means, a stretching bar, guiding sheavesspaced apart in the direction of the length ofthe bar and also inthevdirection'of its adjusting movements, and a pair of endless beltseach having a portion moving with the bar and a portion movingoppositely thereto and'having their portions which move with thebarconnected to the bar at spaced points on the latter, and having theirportions which run bar united together to inoppositely to the sureidentical movements in the belts.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this September 3,1919. i 7

WILLIAM R. HAGER.

named which runs oppositely to

